Victoria

Hi Michael Vick! No, seriously. I'm hardly a PETA type or anything, though I do have that Catholic guilt which pops up at weird times (like this). But why would an animal's cuddliness make any difference to me, whether or not I wear it on my wrist? It's illogical. Yes to crocs, but no to dogs?

In the past week, I've bought an APB Ostrich strap. Then a few days later, a Manifatture Firenze python strap. And I've just pulled the trigger on a Taikonaut kangaroo strap. My question is simple: Do you ever feel any kind of guilt in buying "exotic" hide straps? Do some give you more pause than others? Which is your favourite, or most exotic you've ever bought/seen? Because I never blinked, until I went for the kangaroo one. Ostriches are ornery. Pythons, well, sooner them than me. Gators and crocs are nasty scaly beasts (taste like chicken, BTW). But I've been to Oz, and love their 'roos. What's wrong with us?

George, it's getting so that I have to put on the Secret RWG Decoder Ring to read your posts. Since only one person can possess it at a time, I fear dire consequences when others read them!

Nanuq, I won't even pretend I know the difference between one vintage Rolex to another, but I can see what this means to you (and by the replies so far). One thing's for sure, it looks amazingly special. I am savouring its roughed up glamour, and knowing how much you will baby it, in your possession. I too am curious about how much you spent (I must be living too long in the US ), but it's as nothing towards the enjoyment it's given you. And us, now. Will you ever actually wear it? If you do, wear it in good health!

I am trying to read "Ahmadinejad's World", but I am struggling. With my Cuban food. I decided to opt for that other than pizza. Want a mojito? P.S.: Plaifender, did you check out the Prince's mu

Just to pre-empt this, because I think I know where this might go, I personally am not Jewish, I have no one in the history of my family who was Jewish, and I don't have any Jewish friends at the moment. And I support Israel. You don't have to have any kind of relationship with Jews, or be Jewish, or be from America, or support the US foreign policy position to be in favour of an Israeli State. France, with respect to all the French people here, has traditionally been one of the most anti-Semitic countries on the social level. It's embarrassingly so in the upper-classes, and where the elites of all social levels, congregate. Does that mean there were not Jewish French Premiers like Leon Blum and Pierre Mend

I have to disagree with you, Ryyannon. New York, as the saying goes, isn't the United States. At the end of the day, Americans are not ripe fo any kind of overturning. They are in fact, hell bent on preserving their customs, mores, and modus vivendi like almost no other Western nation today is. I'm part of this impenetrable wall, which you only have to push, to see the reaction you will get. When they invited Krushchev to the UN and he banged his shoe on the podium to get attention (LOL), that was yet another dictator clown who probably some fools also thought was "a breath of fresh air". The difference is that he had the atomic bomb and could annihilate the world, and almost did. Today we have the latest member of this Clown Club -- this cretin man from Iran is a rabid anti-Semite, who people don't exactly take seriously because who is going to take seriously a man such as he? With his Cheshire cat grin and Members only jackets? Until then, the world listens, that's all we can do. Let's hope the next sound won't be a nuclear blast. (Okay, that's enough for me, for now. I'm getting acid reflux before I've even gone for some pizza)

And: "Thanks for all your help, Sssurfer." I'm not Miss Manners. But a nice thank you wouldn't have gone amiss, Beever, whatever the solution.

At the time, I wasn't even aware of the marque. Oh what a difference a year makes...he was dressed very nicely, in an open-necked silk beige shirt, and matching jacket. He actually got a bigger round of applause than Donna Shalala, when the crowd saw him being seated. (BTW, he's a Republican, but in Miami people could care less about your politics. You go for the "happening") Yes, I agree. Just to note, CJ Roberts didn't have an open mic. But he was interviewed at length by Jan Greenburg (the ABC correspondent to the Supreme Court), so that counted a bit like a question-answer session. You'll be happy to know that the Chief doesn't own an iPod. She asked..................... VP Gore had the LONGEST presentation, AND open mic session with 3 students. Well, I left in the middle of one kid's question on the environment (which BTW, he dodged the kid later told me), because it was nearing 3 hours long. President Clinton didn't have an open mic session either, but Donna Shalala "interviewed" him with questions from the students. You'll be happy to know that President Clinton thinks Ivo Morales is the President of Brazil...................... There is no comparison between the Univ of Miami and Columbia, of course. But just to note that of the Southern Universities, UM International Relations is amongst the premier of all. It helps that they are located in the building which once housed the Southern Headquarters of the CIA. And also, please note that I only attended Medical School at UM. My other, British University as an undergrad, was another kettle of fish. One day, I'll tell you how I almost ran into Queen Sofia of Spain in the ladies, there. Doubtfully. It's a private session, else why use tickets? And recorded, only if someone managed to sneak in a digicam or similar, and record it -- like they did with Ann Coulter.

Yeah, but I dunno. I liked it. (Welcome back, Euno!)

But you should've asked, and made that clear. This is not to say you are wrong. But I always dot every i, and cross every t before I send ANYTHING back to these dealers. That's a very momentous decision. I personally would pay the $20, WITH CONFIRMED TRACKING, and never use the dealer again. And yes, reveal his name at the very end, when you have received the watch.

Sorry to hear of your troubles, Dastrix. This should've been hammered out before you sent the watch. If you did, and s/he didn't mention a shipping fee, then you are correct. If not, then really, you don't have much of a case, as I see it. I've never been asked for shipping back fee. In fact, whenever I have to send back any watch, I get compensated with a discount on my next order, or similar. Basically, the dealer is holding your watch ransom, and it's up to you whether or not you should reveal his or her name. I personally wouldn't UNTIL everything was resolved on your end. Good luck to you, Dastrix.

History repeats itself. Again, again, and again.

On principle, agreed. But that's not what happens in reality. In reality, if the audience do not like what you have to say, or your perceived politics, they shout you down, ENDLESSLY, WITHOUT MERCY and will not let you continue. I can give you personal examples, but I'm sure that's not necessary. You know that's the case, plaifender, yes? However I will say this. Recently, I went to the University of Miami's three marquee lectures with notable personalities: one, US Supreme Court Chief Justice John D. Roberts. Then, in back-to-back days, ex-Vice President of the United States, Al Gore, followed by ex-President of the United States, Bill Clinton. For John Roberts' lecture/interview, ladies' had to have their purses searched (with cameras seized, including mobile phones), in tables just before going up the steps of the Convocation Centre. Secret Service were EVERYWHERE. There was a marked presence of local police with dogs all around. Nothing that you wouldn't expect. This was after all, the Chief Justice of the USA. So when I went to listen to Al Gore, I thought, oh boy, I better not even take a handbag, because I thought it would be treble the security. Not a table. Not a search. Not a Secret Service man to be seen. Same for President Clinton. They barely looked at you going in the turnstiles. What does this mean? I'm guessing they were expecting a lot more antagonism towards CJ Roberts, the "Conservative", than towards the "Liberal", Al Gore and Bill Clinton. They needn't have worried. There was not a protester in sight for John Roberts, nor for the others either. No Code Pink lady stood up in her pink bra and knickers and disturbed the Chief. No one called him names or interrupted the proceedings in any way. Miami is just not political, and the UNIVERSITY of Miami is perhaps the least political campus in the US. But it was enough that they thought they would have problems, that shows you the very different approaches towards people who are "approved" or not by the audience. P.S.: Chief Justice Roberts was BY FAR, the most eloquent of the three. I was astonished at how badly Bill Clinton spoke, since I expected him to wipe the floor with the other 2. EDIT: Sorry to threadjack, Ryyannon. Just a few interesting pics of the two ex-leaders of the US, since my digicam wasn't confiscated for the Gore/Clinton lectures, and was, for the Roberts one: The first shows you people clambering up the stairs to the Convocation Centre, going to President Clinton's lecture. That side was blocked off for CJ Roberts, with police guarding it in case someone snuck in. The other side was full of police, Secret Service, and tables, checking all people as they went up the stairs. Every single person was inspected, and their cameras confiscated. No one was inspected for President Clinton/VP Gore. MORE: I went by myself to watch VP Gore. He basically gave a live presentation of his documentary (lasted well over 2 hours). There was no assigned seating in either, it was first-come, first-served, but since my parents were major contributors to President Clinton during his runs for Office, they put in a quiet word with President Shalala's staff, and we got seated a row behind The Rock.

I have yet to see evidence of any package being opened, even Davidsen's packages which frankly, have a tiny wad of bubblewrap, and some tape around the watch itself. Andrew's packages are wrapped to survive a nuclear explosion. I've never seen anything like that. It takes about 5 minutes of scissor-work just to get it opened. The point I'm making is that obviously with the ones I've gotten, US Customs haven't tampered with them, TTBOMK. Perhaps, the times being what they are, they merely x-ray them as they pass in a conveyour belt, or similar. Or they get sniffer dogs to do their work -- since Miami is the number one hub of drug activity from South America. Mine don't usually come in from SF. They reach JFK. SOMETIMES the tracking says, "Inbound Customs" and it's there a while. But usually it just says "Cleared Customs" within a few minutes of their arrival. The one exception was my mum's package with Joshua, which lay in Customs for 4 days (!). Then it cleared without so much as a how-do-you-do. If anyone has ever gotten their package opened by US Customs, please speak up now, or forever hold your timepiece.

Still waitin' on that reply, Dani. Ticking "agree" on DBR's post just won't hack it. You wouldn't like to be thought a chicken, now would you?

On another rep forum, there was a thread (I haven't read but the first), where a black American quarterback of great renown, Donovan McNabb, was mentioned. It said something like, "Did you see the news conference where Donovan McNabb was wearing a Cartier Santos?? What did you think about THAT?". Between whiffs of racism and homophobia...what a choice...I'd rather the poster was mentioning that it was odd to see a butch gridiron QB wearing "a lady's watch" (specifically, Cartier is seen as a lady's marque), than being astonished that a black person could wear such a nice timepiece. In fact, I don't know the point the original poster was making. I'll go find out by the replies, and report back. UPDATE: phpBB : "Critical Error Could not connect to the database" RWI down, again. More later. LATER UPDATE: Got a direct reply from the chap: "The answer would be #1. I posted it in the same vein that others have posted watches that various movie, TV, and political people wear. I'm always interested in what people who can afford to wear anything choose for themselves. No personal/professioal/sociological observation on Donavan McNabb. BTW, we like the same soup too..........". I had inquired, using 3 examples, about his motivation in posting about Donovan wearing the Cartier. So you see his innocuous, and perfectly reasonable reply. It's as if someone had mentioned John Terry had been wearing a Gucci watch. Curiosity, is all.

Heh. Non-aggressive frankness, Wjlamp. You practise it well. No, no. We all have our standards, of course. Let me just say that in the West, as everyone knows, it's easier for a woman to appropriate the masculine, than for a man to appropriate the feminine. The reason why I already have said above in the thread. That's life, baby. P.S.: They stole a ring from my luggage in that Hotel room, so there are worse things to be worried about there, than clerks wearing Chanel No. 5!

1) Because I've never heard the topic discussed SERIOUSLY here. Just with women in bathtubs with Panerais on their bumcracks and between their nipples. 2) Because I wanted to show people that pink straps and Fiddies are hideous. If any lady wears them, they are dishonouring the history, the purpose, and the beauty of this marque by so doing. Reason 1 is the most important. Reason 2 was self-evident but sometimes even self-evident things need to be said.

What, what now? This after I gave you the longest reply where I mentioned FRIKKIN ARISTOTLE as one of my supporting points, mais non, DBR! Don't throw this on my lap. We're talking. You made a point, I countered, that's it. For the record, I think you like feminine girls who wear shiny pink Swatches and blingy Tag Heuers. I wear shiny pink Swatches, and blingy Tag Heuers, but not exclusively. Like many women, I like wearing what I like, without seeking the approval of people around me, some of them males. Even more than that, I do so for my own pleasure, not anyone else's. I would bet you that 99% of women are like this, though let's not forget that .sig with Vic Reeves' quote on stats. Further, it's interesting that of all the Risti women on the gen forum, not an one of them is unmarried, even Amanda. It seems they get into PAM on their own, already married, or as part of their husband's hobby. I'm fairly sure they are not masculine, seen as masculine, Pussy Galores or Madonna wannabes, as well as seeking the attention of men within the forum. How about outside the forum? Dunno. But I think not either. In short, women like Panerai watches more than Breitlings, Bell & Rosses, Rolex Submariners, and any slew of consciously "male" watches because it's a graceful timepiece, which is chameleon-like. Now, please note, this is not FACT, this is my opinion. But I'll stand by it.

Not until my Chinese collector "friend" gives me confirmation of the funds I need to send to him (my God, when will my addiction END?). Actually, I'm praying I'm correct...and not out of one-manship to you...I'm sure you get my drift. Anyway, the reply was almost tepid compared to the ideas floating around RWI about penis removal. Not Klink's, I'd like to make plain.

Being a fellow newbie, I urge you to re-edit this post and make it into a poll. Give some people ideas of what you like, like Noobmariners, PAMs, IWCs, etc. Make one of the criteria "Other". Believe me, you will get more interest that way. Good luck!

Ryyannon, I don't think CBR was being serious. Come on now. Adjust the Sarcasm Metre (and remind ME when I need to, too!).

LOL! I guess Being John Malkovitch these days, means taking bit parts in fancy watch adverts. And why do I think that mini-film was kind of an analogy of my participation on RWG...I even have the same stockings. (But short fair hair, and can't fly. Sorry boys)

Ooh, not Panatime. Don't get me wrong. I'm sure there are some nice straps there, and guess what!, I bought with them first of all before finding this forum section. The owner is really nice too. But they're like getting a Yugo when you can get a Rolls-Royce. I'm not saying that just to say. Look, in my "PAM at the Beach" post: FOR STRAP IDEAS RIGHT NOW: http://www.rwg.cc/members/index.php?showtopic=50823 Read the second paragraph. This 50% offer ends IN 4 HOURS. So if you want a Mario Paci, GeF and others, hurry. It's an $100 savings, at the very least. CORRECTION: MIDNIGHT TEXAS TIME. CET. (Got the La Spezia Cognac, and Chestnut Croc, TeeJay!) In fact, I'm actually here on RWG, just in case anyone PMs me with last minute "can't decide on which strap" PMs. Happened last time!